https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13247695/gogglebox-stars-died-remembered-wake-george-gilbey-death.htmlThe Gogglebox stars lost over the years: Famous faces on Channel 4 hit no longer with us remembered in the wake of George Gilbey tragedy
By Matt Strudwick
Published: 09:24, 28 March 2024 | Updated: 10:00, 28 March 2024
Gogglebox fans are in mourning following the shock death of George Gilbey, aged 40, in a 'work accident'. The former Celebrity Big Brother star died yesterday when he fell to the ground while working at height. He died at the scene. The TV personality's death has rocked fans of the show as tributes poured in on social media. The father-of-one had a seven-year-old daughter Amelie Iris Gilbey with Gemma Conway in 2016. George, from Clacton-on-Sea, rose to fame on the second series of Gogglebox with his mother Linda McGarry and step-father Pete in 2013. MailOnline has taken a look back to remember all of the famous faces of the Channel 4 hit show who are no longer with us.
Pat Webb
The beloved Gogglebox star died aged 75 in January following a 'long illness'. Pat, who featured on the show from series 10 to 12 alongside her son Stephen Lustig-Webb. Stephen, who appeared on the show for 10 years before leaving in 2023, took to Instagram and shared a sweet photo of himself with his mother. He wrote: 'Mummy Pat, you were one in a million, took everyone at face value, would share your last fiver with a stranger, the salt of the earth and the absolute centre of our world! Rest in peace mum.'
Pat joined Gogglebox after Stephen's ex-partner Chris Steed left the programme in 2018. From 2019 until 2023, Stephen appeared alongside his husband Daniel. Stephen was one of the series' longest-running stars having joined when it first started in 2013.
Dave the Rottweiler
Gogglebox's Malone family shared their devastation in October 2023 that their beloved dog Dave had died. The adorable pooch was known to millions of viewers as he regularly appeared on the Channel 4 show alongside the family Tom Sr, Julie, Shaun and Tom Jr. The family took to Instagram to share their heartbreak as they confirmed the upsetting news. They posted a sweet video of the Rottweiler standing on their driveway waiting for Tom Sr to return home alongside a heartfelt caption. The family gushed over how much their beloved dog Dave meant to them and confessed that they would miss him 'so much'. They wrote: 'RIP Dave xxx There are no words to describe you, or how much you meant to us. We are all going to miss you so much.'
Pete McGarry
The step-father of George Gilbey died from bowel cancer in June 2021, aged 71, with his family by his side. His beloved wife Linda revealed he had been diagnosed with the disease earlier that year but despite a recent operation to remove the tumour, was told he only had six months to live. He died just days after the prognosis, with the widow telling The Sun: 'Pete was a lovely man and I was so lucky to have him for 25 years.'
A statement issued on behalf of the family announcing his death said: 'Pete will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew. Our thoughts are with Linda, their children and grandchildren. Since 2000, Pete and Linda have fostered over 100 children and he is a beloved father, husband and grandfather.'
Mary Cook
The TV personality, famed for her witty one-liners, died aged 92 in August 2021. She appeared alongside the show with her best friend Marina Wingrove. Channel 4 announced the news in a statement that read: 'We are extremely saddened to share that Gogglebox star Mary Cook passed away in hospital this weekend at the age of 92 with her family by her side. She will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew.'
They added that Mary was a 'beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dear friend to many.'
Mary, who worked in the hospitality trade, had been married and widowed twice, and met best friend Marina at St Monica Trust retirement village more than ten years before her death. The pair joined Gogglebox in 2016 at the start of series eight and became instant fan favourites due to their 'brilliantly witty and often cheeky comments.'
Andy Michael
The Gogglebox star also died in August 2021 aged 61 following a short illness. The family first appeared on Gogglebox in the debut episode in 2013, but were dropped in 2014 because Mr Michael was running for Ukip in the 2015 General Election. After he failed to secure the Hastings and Rye seat, the family returned for future episodes. Mr Michael, who won a legion of fans by sharing his unfiltered views on the week's TV alongside his wife Carolyne and children Katy, Alex, Pascal and Louis from their home in Brighton, was the son of immigrant parents from Cyprus. A family statement, given to the PA news agency at the time, said: 'We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Gogglebox star Andy Michael at the age of 61 following a short illness. 'Andy passed away last weekend with his family by his side. 'Retired hotelier Andy, who brought much wit and insight to Gogglebox, was one of the show's original cast members, appearing in the very first episode in 2013. Beloved father to Katy, Alex, Pascal and Louis, and cherished husband of Carolyne, Andy was a much-loved and respected member of the Gogglebox family, and he will be very sadly missed. Our love and thoughts are with Carolyne and the entire family. The family have asked for privacy at this very sad time.'
June and Leon Bernicoff
June died in May 2020 aged 82 - three years after her husband Leon passed away. The retired teacher died following a short illness and was one of Gogglebox's original cast members alongside her husband. She left the show in 2018 following Leon's death, aged 83, in December 2017 following a short illness. A statement from Channel 4 and production company Studio Lambert, on behalf of June's family, said: 'We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox's much-loved June Bernicoff passed away at the age of 82 on May 5 at home with her family by her side after a short illness. As the first couple to be cast for Gogglebox back in 2013, June and her husband Leon were a huge part of the programme's success. Their warmth, wit and contrasting personalities endeared them to the nation during the course of the first 10 series. Following Leon's passing in December 2017, June wrote her first book, Leon And June: Our Story, which was a deeply moving and entertaining chronicle of their 60-year love affair.'
June met Leon at teacher training college in 1955, but kept their relationship a secret for five years, as she knew Leon's Jewish family would not approve due to her Catholic faith. They married in 1960 and moved into the same Liverpool home that they appeared in during their Gogglebox stint, and had four children and three grandchildren.
Caroline Aherne
The comic great died in 2016 aged 52 following a two year battle with lung cancer. She starred in The Royle Family as well as the show's specials in 2006 and 2010 before becoming the voice of Gogglebox in 2013. A statement issued by publicist Neil Reading said: 'Caroline Aherne has sadly passed away, after a brave battle with cancer. The BAFTA award-winning writer and comedy actor died earlier today at her home in Timperley, Greater Manchester. She was 52.'
Aherne passed away alone at her home in Cheshire because her family were not aware her condition had deteriorated, a family member told The Mirror. 'It was too quick, we didn't expect her to go,' they said. 'She wasn't in a hospice. She was just at home. She left on her own.'
